Device comprising a mat and use of the device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device comprising a mat ( 1, 2 ), which has at least one through clearance ( 1.1 ) so that a remaining part constitutes an outer mat ( 1 ), at least one inner mat ( 2 ) being arranged in said at least one clearance ( 1.1 ) and said outer mat ( 1 ) having at least one first device-attributed, upper layer ( 1.4 ) provided with at least one non-rigid pile ( 1.5 ) of plastic in the form of artificial turf. Said inner mat ( 2 ) has at least one second device-attributed, upper layer ( 2.4 ) consisting of a material having a substantially smooth upperside and that is denser than the material of the first upper layer ( 1.4 ) of the outer mat ( 1 ). The present invention also relates to the use of the device.

The present invention relates to a device comprising a mat, which has atleast one through clearance so that a remaining part constitutes anouter mat, at least one inner mat being arranged in said at least oneclearance and said outer mat having at least one firstdevice-attributed, upper layer provided with at least one non-rigid pileof plastic in the form of artificial turf. The present invention alsorelates to the use of the device.

PRIOR ART

Loosely lying, movable mats having a surface of artificial turf areusually intended to be used as door mats and have upper layers havingessentially upright, resilient piles of plastic blades having theappearance of grass. Mats of this type do not necessarily have to havethe appearance of a lawn, i.e., be green, but may have different coloursand also different appearance of the pile. However, common to these matsis that they do not allow text and illustrations, e.g., advertisements,to be attached to the upright artificial turf.

By the Swedish patent specification 518 311, it is known to provide afloor mat having an upper layer of dense piles with advertising leafletsby removing the pile within a certain area and there attach leafletsincluding text and illustrations. The pile intended here is simpler toremove than the above-mentioned artificial turf, and therefore the knownsolution is not applicable to mats having an artificial turf.

In a particular application, mats having an artificial turf are used astee mats for golf training. A tee mat of this type is intended toprotect the ground surface at the tee from being poached, particularlyin rainy weather, and give the golfer a cleaner surface to stand on. Thetee mat usually has a plurality of layers of materials of differenthardnesses, preferably at least one layer of foam rubber on theupperside of which a pile in the form of artificial turf is arranged.Such a tee mat, most often of the dimension 1.5×1.5 m, is easy to keepclean by the fact that it is simple to flush with water. However, adisadvantage of the known tee mat is that it does not offer asufficiently stable support for the golfer's feet during tee training,as the artificial turf springs in different directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide a device having anartificial turf and that simultaneously comprises an inner mat having anupperside that is smoother and denser than the artificial turf. A secondobject of the present invention is to provide a device having anartificial turf and that simultaneously comprises an inner mat that isentirely or partly fire-proof. A third object of the present inventionis to provide a device that does not spring to the same extent as theartificial turf, but where it yet is possible to utilize the positiveproperties of the artificial turf as regards cleaning, wear resistanceetc. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a devicethat allows mats having an artificial turf to be provided with textand/or illustrations and/or different colours. Additional objects of thepresent invention are to provide each one of a number of uses of thedevice according to the invention.

Thus, the invention embraces a device comprising a mat, which has atleast one through clearance so that a remaining part constitutes anouter mat, at least one inner mat being arranged in said at least oneclearance and said outer mat having at least one firstdevice-attributed, upper layer provided with at least one non-rigid pileof plastic in the form of artificial turf. Said inner mat has at leastone second device-attributed, upper layer consisting of a materialhaving a substantially smooth upperside and that is denser than thematerial of the first upper layer of the outer mat.

Said material may consist of nylon, polyamide, wool, polyester,polypropylene or any other similar known material, wherein each one ofthe materials may be used alone or in combination with one or more othermaterials. Said material may consist of twisted nylon, so-called “hightwist”.

Said material may have a water-absorption capacity of approx.3.5-approx. 7.5 l/m², preferably approx. 4.5-approx. 6.5 l/m², and mostpreferably approx. 5.5 l/m². Said material may have a pile weight ofapprox. 500-approx. 900 g/m², preferably approx. 600-approx. 800 g/m²,and most preferably approx. 700 g/m². Said material may have a pilethickness of approx. 5.0-approx. 9.0 mm, preferably approx. 6.0-approx.8.0 mm, and most preferably approx. 7.0 mm.

Said second upper layer may lie on at least one lower layer in the formof nitrile rubber or any other similar known material. Said lower layermay have a thickness of approx. 0.7-approx. 1.9 mm, preferably approx.1.0-approx. 1.6 mm, and most preferably approx. 1.3 mm. Said secondupper layer and said lower layer may together and when interconnectedhave a total thickness of approx. 4.5-approx. 12.5 mm, preferablyapprox. 6.5-approx. 10.5 mm, and most preferably approx. 8.5 mm. Saidsecond upper layer and said lower layer may together and wheninterconnected have a total weight of approx. 1.7-approx. 3.7 kg/m²,preferably approx. 2.2-approx. 3.2 kg/m², and most preferably approx.2.7 kg/m². Said at least one lower layer may lie on at least oneadditional lower layer in the form of foam rubber, foamed PVC or anyother similar known material.

Said second upper layer and said lower layer of said inner mat may,under normal conditions, be fire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable. Saidsecond upper layer and said lower layer of said inner mat may, if theytogether and when interconnected are exposed to an average heatradiation that is greater than or equal to 8.0 kW/m², preferably approx.8.0-approx. 10.6 kW/m², in connection with a test for 30 minutesaccording to EN ISO 9239-1, have a smoke production that represents anaverage total light attenuation that is smaller than or equal to750%·min, preferably approx. 343-approx. 750%·min, upon testing for fireclassification according to EN 13501-1 (2002), wherein this part of themat, under given conditions, may be fire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable.Said second upper layer and said lower layer of said inner mat may, ifthey together and when interconnected are exposed to an average heatradiation that is approx. 10.6 kW/m² in connection with a test formaximum 30 minutes according to EN ISO 9239-1, have a smoke productionthat represents an average total light attenuation that is approx.343%·min upon testing for fire classification according to EN 13501-1(2002), wherein this part of the mat, under given conditions, may befire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable.

Said at least one clearance may entirely be surrounded by the outer mat.The upperside of the second upper layer of the inner mat may be providedwith printing in the form of text and/or illustration and/or colour.Said printing may be made using the Chromojet method. The mat may be atee mat for golf training.

Thus, the invention also embraces the use of the device according to theinvention as a support for games of golf, preferably on one or morespots on the course particularly subjected to wear, e.g., at least onetee point and/or within putting distance from at least one hole, andupon training and/or competition. Thus, the invention also embraces theuse of the device according to the invention as a support for games oftennis, preferably on one or more spots on the court particularlysubjected to wear, e.g., at least one baseline within an area that isused for serving and/or at the net, and upon training or competition.Thus, the invention also embraces the use of the device according to theinvention as a support for games of football or soccer, preferably onone or more spots on the ground particularly subjected to wear, e.g., inand around at least one penalty spot and/or around at least one cornerflag/corner spot, and upon training or competition.

Thus, the invention also embraces the use of the device according to theinvention as a support for games of rugby, preferably on one or morespots on the ground particularly subjected to wear and upon trainingand/or competition. Thus, the invention also embraces the use of thedevice according to the invention as a support for games of cricket,preferably on one or more spots on the ground particularly subjected towear and upon training and/or competition. Thus, the invention alsoembraces the use of the device according to the invention as a supportfor games of baseball, preferably on one or more spots on the groundparticularly subjected to wear and upon training and/or competition.Thus, the invention also embraces the use of the device according to theinvention as a support for games of field hockey, preferably on one ormore spots on the ground particularly subjected to wear and upontraining and/or competition.

Thus, the invention also embraces the use of the device according to theinvention as a support in sports grounds, parks and/or gardens,preferably on one or more spots particularly subjected to wear, e.g.,below and/or near at least one litterbin. Thus, the invention alsoembraces the use of the device according to the invention to communicateinformation and/or advertisements.

LIST OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, in a top view, a device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows, in a section along the line I-I in FIG. 1 and inprinciple, the device according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows, in a cross-section, an outer part of the device.

FIG. 4 shows, in a cross-section, an inner part of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A device in the form of a tee mat for golf training according to FIG. 1comprises an outer mat 1 of a rectangular shape, which has a rectangularopening 1.1 extending right through the outer mat 1. In the opening 1.1,an inner mat 2 is arranged so that it entirely fills up the opening 1.1.

As is seen in FIG. 3, the outer mat 1 comprises a first layer 1.2 offoam rubber, intended to be laid in direct contact with the support,i.e., the ground, a second layer 1.3, also of foam rubber, arranged onthe upperside of the first layer 1.2, and a third layer 1.4 of vinylplastic, which carries a pile 1.5 in the form of an artificial turf ofplastic. The mat may be entirely detached or placed in a surroundingframe.

As is seen in FIG. 4, the inner mat 2 comprises a first layer 2.1 offoam rubber, a second layer 2.2 of foam rubber arranged on the uppersideof the first layer 2.1, and a third layer 2.3 of rubber or vinyl,preferably nitrile rubber, which carries a pile 2.4 consisting of a tuffmaterial of twisted nylon, so-called “high twist”, which is considerabledenser than the artificial turf 1.5 of the outer mat 1. The totalthickness of the layers is equal for the two mats 1, 2. The tuff pilehas the same or somewhat smaller thickness than the artificial turf sothat one should not stumble when passing between the outer mat 1 and theinner mat 2. By virtue of the dense surface on the tuff pile 2.4, thismay be provided with, e.g., advertisements in the form of text and/orillustrations and/or colour.

The tuft pile may be replaced by a layer of a hard plastic or rubbermaterial that also may have text and/or illustrations and/or differentcolours. This layer may also be provided with groovings or the like todecrease the risk of slipperiness, particularly in humid weather.

The upperside of the respective mat 1, 2 is situated in approximatelythe same plane in order to avoid protruding edges that may cause usersto stumble. In the described embodiment, the clearance is entirelysurrounded by the outer mat, whereby the inner mat easier is kept inplace if the mat is entirely detached.

The device according to the invention allows, in addition to saidfreedom of choice to provide the inner mat with, e.g., illustrations anddifferent colours, also a possibility of replacing, e.g., informationthat is on the inner mat more often than what would be the case if theouter and the inner mat constituted a unit. The inner mat is also easierto lift and clean separately than what is the case with a continuous matof the same size. For golf tee mats formed according to the invention,the advantage also applies that the inner mat, which usually becomesworn faster than the outer mat, can be replaced more often than theouter mat. This advantage applies even if the inner mat would beprovided with an upper layer of artificial turf.

The tuff pile 2.4, i.e., the second device-attributed upper layer 2.4,consists of, as mentioned, twisted nylon, so-called “high twist”, havinga water-absorption capacity of approx. 5.5 l/m² of mat and a pile weightof approx. 700 g/m² of mat. The third layer 2.3, i.e., the lower layer2.3, preferably consists of, as mentioned, nitrile rubber having athickness of 1.3 mm, which makes the second upper layer 2.4 and thelower layer 2.3 as a unit to lie still also on slippery supports, whichin turn may consist of additional lower layers 2.1, 2.2, if the same arenot integrated into one unit with the second upper layer 2.4 and thelower layer 2.3. The second upper layer 2.4 and the lower layer 2.3 mayas a unit also be placed on other supports such as directly on theground, floor or the like.

There is a border around the inner mat 2 that is approx. 20 mm wide,i.e., the tuff pile 2.4 does not go all the way out to the edge of thelower layer 2.3. However, this border is not required. Both the tuffpile 2.4 and the lower layer 2.3 are completely recyclable, and saidlayers together and when interconnected have a total weight of approx.2.7 kg/m² of mat and are washable in 60° C. The pile surface may beprinted by the Chromojet method in at least 48 standard colours.

Under normal conditions, the pile 2.4 and the lower layer 2.3 arenon-inflammable. The two layers 2.4, 2.3 have, together and wheninterconnected, been fire-classified according to EN 13501-1 (2002) andthe classification may be expressed as B_(fl)/s1 where B_(fl) representsa heat flow in the form of radiation that is greater than or equal to8.0 kW/m² of mat according to EN ISO 9239-1 for 30 minutes, and s1represents a smoke production that represents an average total lightattenuation that is smaller than or equal to 750%·min. In the test inquestion, which was the basis for the classification, the two layers2.4, 2.3 were exposed to an average heat flow in the form of radiationof 10.6 kW/m² of mat according to EN ISO 9239-1 for maximum 30 minutes,which caused a smoke production representing an average total lightattenuation of 343%·min.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown here, but may bevaried within the scope of the subsequent claims.

1. A device comprising a mat, which has at least one through clearanceso that a remaining part constitutes an outer mat, at least one innermat being arranged in said at least one clearance and said outer mathaving at least one first device-attributed, upper layer provided withat least one non-rigid pile of plastic in the form of artificial turf,that said inner mat has at least one second device-attributed, upperlayer consisting of a material having a substantially smooth uppersideand that is denser than the material of the first upper layer of theouter mat, characterized in that said material consists of twisted nylonwith a water-absorption capacity of approx. 3.5-approx. 7.5 l/m² and apile weight of approx. 500-approx. 900 g/m², that said second upperlayer lies on at least one lower layer and that said second upper layerand said lower layer of said inner mat under normal conditions arefire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable.
 2. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said material further comprises polyamide, wool,polyester, polypropylene or any other similar known material, whereineach one of the materials may be used alone in combination with thetwisted nylon or in combination with one or more other materials incombination with the twisted nylon.
 3. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said material has a water-absorption capacity ofpreferably approx. 4.5-approx. 6.5 l/m², and most preferably approx. 5.5l/m².
 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidmaterial has a pile weight of preferably approx. 600-approx. 800 g/m²,and most preferably approx. 700 g/m².
 5. The device according to claim1, characterized in that said material has a pile thickness of approx.5.0-approx. 9.0 mm, preferably approx. 6.0-approx. 8.0 mm, and mostpreferably approx. 7.0 mm.
 6. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said at least one lower layer is in the form ofnitrile rubber or any other similar known material.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said lower layer has athickness of approx. 0.7-approx. 1.9 mm, preferably approx. 1.0-approx.1.6 mm, and most preferably approx. 1.3 mm.
 8. The device according toclaim 1, characterized in that said second upper layer and said lowerlayer together and when interconnected have a total thickness of approx.4.5-approx. 12.5 mm, preferably approx. 6.5-approx. 10.5 mm, and mostpreferably approx. 8.5 mm.
 9. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said second upper layer and said lower layertogether and when interconnected have a total weight of approx.1.7-approx. 3.7 kg/m², preferably approx. 2.2-approx. 3.2 kg/m², andmost preferably approx. 2.7 kg/m².
 10. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said at least one lower layer lies on at least oneadditional lower layer in the form of foam rubber, foamed PVC or anyother similar known material.
 11. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that said second upper layer and said lower layer ofsaid inner mat, if they together and when interconnected are exposed toan average heat radiation greater than or equal to 8.0 kW/m², preferablyapprox. 8.0-approx. 10.6 kW/m², in connection with a test for 30 minutesaccording to EN ISO 9239-1, have a smoke production that represents anaverage total light attenuation that is smaller than or equal to750%·min, preferably approx. 343-approx. 750%·min, upon testing for fireclassification according to EN 13501-1 (2002), said part of the mat,under given conditions, being fire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 11, characterized in that said second upperlayer and said lower layer of said inner mat, if they together and wheninterconnected are exposed to an average heat radiation that is approx.10.6 kW/m² in connection with a test for maximum 30 minutes according toEN ISO 9239-1, have a smoke production that represents an average totallight attenuation that is approx. 343%·min upon testing for fireclassification according to EN 13501-1 (2002), said part of the mat,under given conditions, being fire-proof, i.e., non-inflammable.
 13. Thedevice according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least oneclearance is entirely surrounded by the outer mat.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the upperside of the secondupper layer of the inner mat is provided with printing in the form oftext and/or illustration and/or colour.
 15. The device according toclaim 14, characterized in that said printing is made by the Chromojetmethod.
 16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that themat is a tee mat for golf training.
 17. The use of the device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the device is used as a support forgames of golf, preferably on one or more spots on the courseparticularly subjected to wear, e.g., at least one tee point and/orwithin putting distance from at least one hole, and upon training and/orcompetition.
 18. The use of the device according to claim 1,characterized in that the device is used as a support for games oftennis, preferably on one or more spots on the court particularlysubjected to wear, e.g., at at least one baseline within an area that isused for serving and/or at the net, and upon training or competition.19. The use of the device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe device is used as a support for games of football or soccer,preferably on one or more spots on the ground particularly subjected towear, e.g., in and around at least one penalty spot and/or around atleast one corner flag/corner spot, and upon training or competition. 20.The use of the device according to claim 1, characterized in that thedevice is used as a support for games of rugby, preferably on one ormore spots on the ground particularly subjected to wear and upontraining and/or competition.
 21. The use of the device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the device is used as a support for gamesof cricket, preferably on one or more spots on the ground particularlysubjected to wear and upon training and/or competition.
 22. The use ofthe device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device isused as a support for games of baseball, preferably on one or more spotson the ground particularly subjected to wear and upon training and/orcompetition.
 23. The use of the device according to claim 1,characterized in that the device is used as a support for games of fieldhockey, preferably on one or more spots on the ground particularlysubjected to wear and upon training and/or competition.
 24. The use ofthe device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device isused as a support in sports grounds, parks and/or gardens, preferably onone or more spots particularly subjected to wear, e.g., below and/ornear at least one litterbin.
 25. The use of the device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the device is used to communicateinformation and/or advertisements.